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Register for CPDF’s Grazing on the Greens
Don’t debate. Don’t procrastinate. Just set the date and find a mate for the 2026 Central Plains Dairy Foundation  (CPDF) Golf Tournament – Grazing on the Greens – set for July 29, at Rocky Run Golf Course in Dell Rapids, S.D. Registration starts at 10 a.m. Central time and golfers tee off at 11:30 a.m. To register, go to: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/golf-outing.
Last year’s Grazing on the Greens sold out four weeks prior to the event. So, register your team today! While you’re at it, sign up for a sponsorship package that aligns with your marketing goals. Go to: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/golf-outing to learn how you can get the most out of your sponsorship and capitalize on this popular networking event.
Proceeds from this event go to CPDF, which supports tomorrow’s dairy leaders today. CPDF provides scholarships and educational grant programming, initiatives that promote resiliency and sustainability in the dairy industry, and grants for innovative programs, communications and community development.
For more information, contact Renee Brod, CPDA member services director, at: renee@centralplainsdairyexpo.com.
English
Let’s talk about waste milk for a minute
By Julia Hamann, Actus Nutrition
 Waste milk (WM) is frequently used to feed dairy calves because it offers a cost-effective substitute for saleable milk or milk replacer. By feeding WM, producers can lower their feeding expenses and eliminate the need to dispose of milk that cannot be sold.
However, WM may contain pathogens, antimicrobial residues and inflammatory components that can affect calf immune development and antimicrobial resistance risk. Recent peer‑reviewed research provides clearer insight into what WM does (and does not do) to calf health and immunity.
I get why farms use WM. It’s readily available, it’s already paid for and feeding WM to calves saves real money. Nobody wants to dump milk if they don’t have to.
The important thing I want to be clear about up front is feeding WM doesn’t automatically make calves sick. In a lot of herds, calves look fine. Scours don’t spike, pneumonia doesn’t jump and growth looks okay, especially when colostrum management is solid.
But here’s where it gets tricky.
Just because calves look healthy doesn’t mean nothing’s going on ‘under the hood’
When calves are fed raw WM, their immune systems work harder. We see more immune cells in the blood, which sounds like a good thing at first, but it’s really a sign that their immune system is being stimulated – not strengthened. It reacts to bacteria and other components in that milk. Think of it like this: Their immune system is busy putting out “little fires” all the time, instead of staying balanced and ready for real challenges.
Read the full article here.
Spanish
Hablemos un momento de la leche de desecho
Por Julia Hamann, Actus Nutrition
La leche de desecho (WM siglas en inglés) se utiliza frecuentemente para alimentar a los terneros lecheros porque ofrece un sustituto rentable de la leche vendible o sustituto de la leche. Al alimentar WM, los productores pueden reducir sus gastos de alimentación y eliminar la necesidad de desechar la leche que no puede venderse.
Sin embargo, el VM puede contener patógenos, residuos antimicrobianos y componentes inflamatorios que pueden afectar el desarrollo inmunitario del ternero y el riesgo de resistencia a antimicrobianos. Investigaciones recientes ofrecen una visión más clara sobre lo que la WM hace (y qué no hace) respecto a la salud e inmunidad de los terneros.
Entiendo por qué las granjas usan WM. Está fácilmente disponible, ya está pagada, y dar WM a los terneros ahorra dinero real. Nadie quiere tirar la leche si no es necesario.
Lo importante que quiero dejar claro desde el principio es que alimentar WM a los terneros no los enferma automáticamente. En muchas manadas, los terneros parecen estar bien. No existe problemas de diarreas, los casos de neumonía no se aceleran, el crecimiento parece aceptable, especialmente cuando el control del calostro es sólido.
Pero aquí es donde se complica.
Que los terneros parezcan sanos no significa que no haya nada bajo la cubierta/capucha
Cuando los terneros son alimentados con WM crudo, su sistema inmunitario trabaja más duro. Vemos más células inmunitarias en la sangre, lo cual suena bueno al principio, pero en realidad es una señal de que su sistema inmunitario está siendo estimulado, no fortalecido. Reacciona a las bacterias y a otros componentes de esa leche. Piénsalo así: su sistema inmunitario está ocupado apagando pequeños fuegos todo el tiempo en lugar de mantenerse equilibrado y preparado para los desafíos reales.
Lee el artículo completo aquí
The Chronic Cow Case Study: Real herd data. Real impact.
This quick video shows how HerdHQ helped one Midwest dairy flag just 4 cows driving 12% of tank SCC — leading to a 15% drop in SCC and $9,400 in recovered premiums. 
Nominate herds for the 7-pound club award
The Four State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference will once again recognize high-production herds in the region. All herds in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin that averaged more than 7 pounds of combined fat plus protein in 2025 are eligible. 
To be considered for the award, provide this information.
- Proof of average monthly or annual inventory from herd management software
- Proof of 2025 annual milk production with components from the processor
The top three herds will be honored at the conference, participate in a panel discussion and receive an honorarium and be reimbursed for conference expenses.
Submit your nominations to: salfe001@umn.edu by May 8.
Dairy Cattle Welfare Council schedules 2026 symposium
 The Dairy Cattle Welfare Council (DCWC) will host its 2026 Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium May 20-22, at the Hilton in Bloomington, Minn. The annual event brings together researchers, veterinarians, dairy producers and industry professionals to discuss the latest science and practical approaches to improving dairy cattle welfare.
Program highlights include sessions on beef-on-dairy welfare standards, multigenerational impacts of heat stress, calf thermal comfort and cow-calf contact systems, and a panel discussion on social rearing calves. A workshop led by Diego Manriquez, Colorado State University, will explore end-of-life decisions across the dairy supply chain. Additionally, there will be student presentations highlighting the most recent research geared toward dairy cattle welfare.
An interactive Spanish-language program on May 22 will address workforce culture, lameness prevention, cow handling and employee resiliency.
Registration and the full symposium program are available at: dcwcouncil.org.
South Dakota shares dairy celebration events
The South Dakota Dairy Fest Committee invites you to celebrate the dairy industry this summer. The Got Milk Gala will take place on May 28. This invitation-only event features a five-course, dairy-inspired meal, followed by a night of fun and entertainment with Dueling Duos. 
On June 6, go to Crosswind Jerseys, 48152 SD Hwy 13, Elkton, S.D., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Day on the Farm, consumer-focused event gives guests a behind-the-scenes look at how milk goes from the farm to the table. Attend this Day on the Farm to support local dairy farmers, share stories and connect with community members to help them understand where their food originates.
MoDak Dairy is hosting their annual Dairy Day Open House on June 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by the farm for free grilled cheese sandwiches and ice cream, and dairy farm tours.
Do you know any aspiring artists? Encourage them to enter Dairy Fest’s 13th annual Picowsa Art Contest and show their dairy-inspired creativity for a chance to win prizes and be part of the fun!
Four-State Dairy Extension Group offers nutrition and management conference
Registration is open for the 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, taking place June 3-4, in La Crosse, Wis., at the La Crosse Convention Center. Check out the 4-State Dairy website at https://fourstatedairy.org/ for conference information. Registration and hotel reservation information can be found on the conference website.
The Four-State Dairy Extension Group is a collaborative effort of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension.
South Dakota sets Governor’s Ag Summit for June 25-26
Governor Larry Rhoden invites farmers, ranchers and agriculture leaders from across South Dakota to join him in Pierre, June 25-26, for the 2026 Governor’s Ag Summit. The annual event provides an opportunity for South Dakota’s agricultural community to come together, learn from one another and celebrate the state’s #1 industry. The two-day event includes a full day of presentations on June 25 and industry tours on June 26. The event is free and open to the public; however, pre-registration is required.
View the schedule and register for the event here.
USJersey offers $47,000 in scholarships, educational awards
Apply for USJersey scholarships and educational awards by July 1. The American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) administers more than $47,000 in scholarship money to award to Jersey youth in 2026. This funding goes toward young Jersey enthusiasts pursuing a college or university degree, or, in some cases, gaining hands-on experience in developing and managing Registered Jersey cattle. AJCA Junior or Lifetime members, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average (4.0 scale), are eligible to apply for the awards.
The Russell–Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies ($5,000) goes to a graduate dairy science, animal science (dairy emphasis), large animal veterinary practice, dairy production or manufacturing, or dairy product marketing student.
The Walter and Joyce Owens Family Scholarship ($5,000) is for incoming or current undergraduate students in any post education institute studying a dairy-related major. Applicants must also be working toward a two- or four-year degree, and demonstrate satisfactory academic performance. Recipients can receive the scholarship a maximum of two times but must reapply for reconsideration.
The Lineweaver Scholarship ($5,000) goes to an undergraduate who has completed at least one year of study in a four-year program focused on dairy science, animal science (dairy emphasis) or dairy products.
The Morris B. Ewing ABS Genetic Performance Scholarship ($3,250) goes to a junior or senior undergraduate student, seeking a career in genetics, dairy production, large animal veterinary medicine or milk marketing.
The William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship ($3,000) is for those studying at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2026. Students who have completed at least one year of their studies are eligible for the V.L. Peterson Scholarship ($2,500). The Jack C. Nisbet Memorial Scholarship ($2,500) goes to an eligible nominee in the Jersey Youth Achievement Contest.
The Robert Bignami Memorial Scholarship ($3,000) was established from a generous donation of Bob and Pam Bignami, Orland, Calif., from the sale of BW Graduate-ET in 2020. Those who have graduated from high school and attended Jersey Youth Academy are eligible to apply. These students must also be heading to or enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university, majoring in an agricultural-based degree.
The Cedarcrest Farms Scholarship ($2,000) goes to an undergraduate or graduate student working toward a degree in large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing or dairy product marketing. Students must also demonstrate significant progress toward their intended degree and a clear intention of an agriculture career through coursework completion and a goal statement.
The Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) is for continuing college students in any degree program area. The recipient of the AJCA Directors’ Scholarship ($1,500) is determined based on academic performance, activities and accomplishments with Jersey cattle, and commitment to continued involvement in the Jersey dairy business. The Bob Toole Jersey Youth Award ($2,000) can be used for educational expenses or a well-defined practical experience related to breeding, developing and showing Registered Jerseys.
The recipient of the Anne E. Perchard Challenge Award ($350) will be selected from applicants for the national achievement contest and/or scholarship program to recognize abilities and leadership potential and, in turn, challenging the recipient to achieve his/her potential through continuing Jersey activities.
The Reuben R. Cowles Jersey Youth Award goes to an eligible resident of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia to be used for educational expenses or travel to the All American Jersey Show and Sale, the AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings or other Jersey educational activities. Applicants must be at least high school graduates but not older than 36 years of age as of Jan. 1, 2026.
For application forms and instructions, visit the “Youth Corner” page on the USJersey website and select the scholarship option. Recipients will be recognized on Nov. 7, at the Youth Awards Ceremony held in Louisville, Ky.
For more information, contact AJCA at: info@usjersey.com.
Midwest Ag Export Summit to focus on new markets, more sales
The 6 th Annual Midwest Agricultural Export Summit is a unique opportunity to collaborate on export strategies that will enhance the Midwest’s competitiveness in the global economy. This year’s summit will focus on “Forging Forward: New Markets, More Sales” and includes conversations featuring national, international, regional and state agricultural and trade leaders.
The event is being held in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Aug. 12. More information can be found at: Midwest Ag Summit Overview.
Dairy processor plans $65M improvement project
Agropur Inc. is making a significant investment in its Lake Norden dairy processing facility, which produces cheese and whey products. The company plans to invest $65.3 million to overhaul and refurbish its powder drying system, including replacing key equipment, expanding product offerings and installing equipment to improve efficiency. The upgrades will restore powder production and enable manufacturing of new whey  products. Upon completion, annual powder output is expected to increase by 20 million pounds.
The South Dakota Board of Economic Development approved a Reinvestment Payment Program award (up to $835,953) for Agropur. Under the program, eligible projects may receive a refund of state sales and use tax they pay on their investment after achieving project completion.
The company’s project “will modernize production capabilities and strengthen dairy manufacturing in South Dakota,” according to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
“Ag is king in South Dakota. These approvals reflect our commitment to help South Dakota businesses reinvest in our state,” said South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden. “By encouraging reinvestment and innovation, we’re strengthening key industries and supporting long-term economic growth.”
“When companies reinvest in South Dakota, it strengthens our workforce and supports long-term economic opportunity,” said GOED Commissioner Bill Even. “Projects like this help existing employers remain competitive and continue growing.”
Farmers need a written estate and succession plan
None of us likes to think about death. It’s upsetting to acknowledge that Dad or Grandpa just had his second heart scare. He has a pacemaker now. Mom or grandma, too, can’t complete livestock chores like she once could.
As older generations age, so do younger ones, and some aren’t sure if they want to return to the century-old family farm as generations before them have. Maybe some are prepared to pursue ownership – but need help getting started.
Legacy. Conflict. Discomfort. Stress. Procrastination. These are just a few of the reasons less than 44% of Iowa farmers with less than 1,000 acres have a written estate and succession plan.
The issue
Whether planned or not, a major transfer of agricultural assets is approaching within the next one to two decades. Today, two-thirds of Iowa farmland is owned by individuals age 65 and older. Landowners age 75 and older now own a record 37% of all acres.
According to Kristine Tidgren, director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation and Dolezal adjunct associate professor of agricultural education at Iowa State University, these demographics make farm transition planning increasingly urgent. “I’ve learned that retirement is not always a goal for a lot of farmers, but nonetheless, for a lot of them, their health will cause them to have to slow down and not be able to do all the same things on the farm that they’ve been able to do in the past,” she said. “Like it or not, things are going to have to transfer when we’re looking at that demographic. For many families, the question is both practical and deeply personal. How can this farm continue?”
The barriers
Despite the inevitability of farm transition, estate and succession planning is often delayed. One reason is purely emotional. Planning for the future requires people to confront mortality and a transfer of control in an operation they have spent decades building.
Family dynamics pose another significant barrier. Conversations about inheritance, ownership and management responsibilities can become uncomfortable. 
- Who gets what?
- Who is entitled to what?
- Who will stay and who won’t? Will anyone?
Fear of family conflict often stalls open, honest and equitable conversations. “People are afraid that fights will erupt, so they just keep it secret and let the kids deal with it,” said Tidgren. “But that just means that after you’re gone, your kids likely won’t be connected very well because there might be disputes that didn’t need to happen.”
At its core, farm transition planning requires something many farmers find difficult: relinquishing control. “It’s a very hard thing to do because it was in many ways that control that made the business successful,” Tidgren noted. “Part of the responsibility that comes along with that is the responsibility to learn, to turn it over and to relinquish.”
For farm families already managing demanding day-to-day operations, the process can feel overwhelming. But what if it moved from reeling to rewarding? Confusing to clear? That’s where education and preparation can make a difference. “We’re here to help,” said Tidgren.
The solution
Tidgren and 14 interdisciplinary specialists developed the Estate and Succession Planning for the Farm Portal, an interactive online resource designed to guide farm families through the planning process.
The portal includes hours of educational videos, case studies and practical resources covering the legal, financial and communication aspects of estate and succession planning. Users can explore the materials at their own pace and focus on the topics most relevant to their situation.
As an online resource, the team will continuously make updates to ensure it remains a reliable and evolving source of accurate information. It complements the Estate and Succession Planning for the Farm workbook, which has been used by many farm families planning for transition. The online platform expands on the workbook with an educational approach.
“We’ve never had a program where we brought everybody together and said, ‘let’s just come together to try to make a very complete educational program’,” said Tidgren. “It’s much more in-depth than anything we found out there in terms of resources to educate farmers. We’re not selling anything. We are just objective extension professionals. You don’t pay us by the hour to find those things out.”
The portal features several types of resources:
- Estate and Succession Planning Video Chapters. Approachable lectures from Iowa State University (ISU) attorneys guide users topic by topic. The chapters supplement the Estate and Succession Planning for the Farm workbook.
- Frequently Asked Questions. In a conversational format, Tidgren and Kristiana Coutu, director of the Beginning Farmer Center at ISU, discuss the most common questions they receive about farm estate and succession planning.
- Case Studies. Extension farm business specialists review various case studies. Topics include communication breakdowns, tragedies, contingency planning, blended families, labor management and insurance options.
- Communication Resources. Kiley Flemming, executive director of Iowa Mediation Service, guides learners through communication tools to address family communication conflicts and best practices.
- Tools and Resources and Helpful Links. The portal provides a list of additional resources for users to learn beyond the portal.
Feedback suggests that the portal can help families save time and money as they prepare to work with tax professionals. According to Tidgren, 56% of users said it would save 5-15 hours of attorney work and 25% said it would have an economic impact of more than $25,000.
The portal is not intended to replace professional legal or tax advice; rather, it prepares farm families for those conversations so they can work more efficiently and develop more thoughtful plans. This portal is now offered at no cost for users.
To begin your Estate and Succession Planning journey, visit the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation website. For more information, contact Tidgren at: ktidgren@iastate.edu.
Holstein Association USA updates TPI, new conformation composite
Holstein Association USA’s board of directors approved several changes to respond to the current needs of Registered Holstein breeders and ensure the classification program and genetic tools keep pace with industry trends. These changes come from recommendations presented by the Conformation Advisory Committee and Genetic Advancement Committee. 
TPI formula update
The weighting for PTA Protein and PTA Fat within Holstein Association USA’s Total Performance Index (TPI) will be adjusted to better align TPI with current and emerging trends in milk pricing and processor needs for fat-to-protein ratios. This change was implemented for the April 2026 official genetic evaluation.
Specific changes to the TPI formula include:
- Increasing the weighting on PTA Protein from 19 to 24
- Decreasing the weighting on PTA Fat from 19 to 14
This update adjusts only the relative emphasis placed on PTA Protein and PTA Fat; no other TPI trait weightings were affected. This update results in a very high correlation (0.9978) between the revised TPI formula and the current version, indicating that the change represents a refinement, rather than a fundamental shift, in how animals are ranked. More information on the TPI formula can be found here. Additional details about the TPI formula change can be found here.
Holstein conformation composite
The Holstein Conformation Composite (HCC) is a new selection tool designed to help breeders identify animals with the combination of conformation traits most closely associated with balance, functionality and long-term durability. HCC will be published as a new trait alongside PTA Type (PTAT) and the existing Udder Composite (UDC), Foot & Leg Composite (FLC) and Body Weight Composite (BWC) values. HCC values for active artificial insemination (AI) bulls will be released before July 1, 2026.
HCC was developed through collaboration between experienced Registered Holstein breeders and the empirical analysis of Holstein Association USA’s comprehensive database of linear conformation and production records. HCC provides breeders an alternative to Predicted Transmitting Ability for Type (PTAT) by weighting individual conformation traits based on breed priorities, considering the relationships between traits, rather than being based on Final Score alone. More information on HCC can be found here.
Sliding scale penalty for stature
A sliding scale penalty for Stature will be implemented starting in the May 2026 classification program, with 60 inches considered the ideal height. This change defines a breed standard for ideal stature for the first time and is designed to discourage extreme stature in our breed, while continuing to reward cows that combine balance, strength and functional correctness. The penalty will be deducted from the Front End & Capacity major breakdown, which represents 15% of the final classification score. More information can be found here.
To be eligible for inclusion in a herd’s Breed Age Average (BAA), cows must have calved within the previous 24 months. This change is intended to ensure that BAA calculations reflect currently active, productive cows in a herd. This will be implemented for classifications starting in May 2026 and after.
Beat the heat
Whether you're in the field, barn or working on equipment outdoors, the risk of heat-related illness is real and preventable. Every year, thousands of workers suffer from heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke. These conditions can set in faster than you think, especially during peak sun hours or during hard physical labor.
Use these Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center tools to beat the heat:
Building a farm website using AI
By Don Schindler, Dairy Management Inc.
 If you don’t tell your story, someone else will. And there’s a pretty good chance they won’t get it right.
Most consumers are far removed from agriculture, but they do trust farmers when they hear directly from them. Your dairy checkoff teams, nationally and locally, can help tell dairy’s story at a big-picture level – but your farm builds trust in a personal way that’s close to home.
A website is your home base on the internet. It’s where people can learn who you are, how you farm and why it matters. It’s also what is scanned by artificial intelligence (AI) and Google’s search, so when people are looking to learn more about your farm, it’s the information that they will see first.
Click here to read the complete Hoard’s Dairyman article.
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